Shift-operation apparatus for automatic transmission

Abstract

A fitting groove 46 comprised of a first groove 48 and a second groove 50 is formed in a holder connected to an operation knob. As a pin 54 of a shaft 52 is inserted in the fitting groove 46, the shaft 52 is connected to a holder 24, i.e., the operation knob. As a result, even in a shift-lock state in which the axial movement of the shaft 52 is prevented, it is possible to carry out without trouble the operation of selecting a shift position N, D, or 2 by the rotation of the holder 24 as well as the operation of selecting a shift position L involving the rotation and axial movement of the holder 24. In addition, it is possible to set a multiplicity of shift positions which are selected by the holder 24.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising: an operation knob capable of rotation and axial movement and having a first shift position selected by a rotating operation, a second shift position selected by the axial movement, and a third shift position selected by the rotation and the axial movmement;   switch means for detecting a selected shift position of said operation knob so as to shift said automatic transmission;   a shaft disposed movably along an axis of said operation knob;   locking means disposed engageably and detachably with respect to said shaft, said locking means being adapted to prevent the axial movement of said shaft in an engaged state;   a solenoid connected to said locking means, said solenoid being actuated under a predetermined condition to cancel the engagement between said lock plate and said shaft; and   a holder fixed integrally to said operation knob and adapted to move always with said operation knob, said holder being connected to said shaft so as to permit the movement of said operation knob to one of the first shift position and the third shift position in a state in which said lock plate is engaged with said shaft and the axial movement of said shaft is prevented.   
     
     
       2. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises first switch means for detecting the first shift position and the third shift position and second switch means for detecting the second shift position. 
     
     
       3. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising shock-absorbing means for absorbing a shock by allowing said lock plate to come into contact with said shock-absorbing means when the engagement between said lock plate and said shaft is canceled. 
     
     
       4. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 3, wherein said shock-absorbing means is a resilient member. 
     
     
       5. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein said holder has a groove, said shaft has a first pin which is inserted and disposed in said groove, and said holder and said shaft are connected to each other by means of said groove and said first pin. 
     
     
       6. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising: axially clicking means disposed between said operation knob and a main body of said shift-operation apparatus so as to provide a click when said operation knob is moved in an axial direction;   a rotor for rotating integrally with said operation knob and connected to said operation knob in such a manner as to be capable of undergoing relative movement in the axial direction with respect to said operation knob; and   rotating-direction clicking means disposed between said rotor and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus so as to provide a click when said operation knob is moved in a rotating direction.   
     
     
       7. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 6, wherein said axially clicking means includes a first uneven-surface portion provided on one of said operation knob and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and a small member disposed on another of said operation knob and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and urged toward said first uneven-surface portion. 
     
     
       8. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 7, wherein said rotating-direction clicking means includes a second uneven-surface portion provided on one of said rotor and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and a roller disposed on another of said rotor and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and urged toward said second uneven-surface portion. 
     
     
       9. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, further comprising guiding and limiting means disposed between said operation knob and a main body of said shift-operation apparatus so as to guide said operation knob during the rotation and axial movement of said operation knob and limit the rotation and axial movement. 
     
     
       10. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 9, wherein said guiding and limiting means has a guide groove corresponding to the first, second, and third shift positions and formed in a shape of a pattern to connect the first, second, and third shift positions, and a second pin inserted movably in said guide groove, a portion of said guide groove leading from a connecting portion with respect to the first, second, and third shift positions to the third shift position being inclined with respect to a portion of said guide groove leading from the first shift position to said connecting portion and a portion of said guide groove leading from the second shift position to said connecting portion. 
     
     
       11. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 10, wherein a projecting portion is provided in a vicinity of said connecting portion in said portion of said guide groove leading from said connecting portion to the third shift position. 
     
     
       12. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising: an operation knob capable of rotation and axial movement for selecting a shift position by a rotating operation and/or an axially moving operation;   switch means for detecting a selected shift position of said operation knob so as to shift said automatic transmission;   an axially clicking mechanism including a first uneven-surface portion provided on one of said operation knob and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and a small member disposed on another of said operation knob and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and urged toward said first uneven-surface portion, so as to provide a click when said operation knob is moved in an axial direction;   a rotor for rotating integrally with said operation knob and connected to said operation knob in such a manner as to be capable of undergoing relative movement in the axial direction with respect to said operation knob; and   a rotating-direction clicking mechanism including a second uneven-surface portion provided on one of said rotor and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus and a roller disposed on another of said rotor and said main body of said shift-operation apparatus, so as to provide a click when said operation knob is moved in a rotating direction.   
     
     
       13. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 12, wherein said operation knob has a first shift position selected by the rotating operation, a second shift position selected by the axial movement, and a third shift position selected by the rotation and the axial movmement. 
     
     
       14. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 13, further comprising: a shaft disposed movably along an axis of said operation knob;   locking means disposed engageably and detachably with respect to said shaft, said locking means being adapted to prevent the axial movement of said shaft in an engaged state;   a solenoid connected to said locking means, said solenoid being actuated under a predetermined condition to cancel the engagement between said lock plate and said shaft; and   a holder fixed integrally to said operation knob and adapted to move always with said operation knob, said holder being connected to said shaft so as to permit the movement of said operation knob to one of the first shift position and the third shift position in a state in which said lock plate is engaged with said shaft and the axial movement of said shaft is prevented.   
     
     
       15. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 14, wherein said switch means comprises first switch means for detecting the first shift position and the third shift position and second switch means for detecting the second shift position. 
     
     
       16. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 14, further comprising shock-absorbing means for absorbing a shock by allowing said lock plate to come into contact with said shock-absorbing means when the engagement between said lock plate and said shaft is canceled. 
     
     
       17. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising: an operation knob capable of rotation and axial movement and having a first shift position selected by a rotating operation, a second shift position selected by the axial movement, and a third shift position selected by the rotation and the axial movmement;   a guide groove corresponding to the first, second, and third shift positions and formed in a shape of a pattern to connect the first, second, and third shift positions;   a pin inserted movably in said guide groove,   wherein a portion of said guide groove leading from a connecting portion with respect to the first, second, and third shift positions to the third shift position is inclined with respect to a portion of said guide groove leading from the first shift position to said connecting portion and a portion of said guide groove leading from the second shift position to said connecting portion.   
     
     
       18. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 17, wherein a projecting portion is provided in a vicinity of said connecting portion in said portion of said guide groove leading from said connecting portion to the third shift position. 
     
     
       19. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 18, wherein said guide groove is provided in said operation knob, and said pin is provided in a main body of said shift-operation apparatus. 
     
     
       20. A shift-operation apparatus for an automatic transmission according to claim 18, further comprising: switch means for detecting a selected shift position of said operation knob so as to shift said automatic transmission;   a shaft disposed movably along an axis of said operation knob;   locking means disposed engageably and detachably with respect to said shaft, said locking means being adapted to prevent the axial movement of said shaft in an engaged state;   a solenoid connected to said locking means, said solenoid being actuated under a predetermined condition to cancel the engagement between said lock plate and said shaft; and   a holder fixed integrally to said operation knob and adapted to move always with said operation knob, said holder being connected to the shaft so as to permit the movement of said operation knob to one of the first shift position and the third shift position in a state in which said lock plate is engaged with said shaft and the axial movement of said shaft is prevented.